The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-06-08
stranger with his Eyes Open.


your beautiful town was the long rows of
beautiful naples that line the avenues, streets
and even the alleys of the place. Resident
citizens say there are more than ten miles of
such trees within the corporate limits of the
village, and Stranger with his Eyes Open
thinks they do not exaggerate when they so
state. The maple is the most beautiful tree
that graces our northern forests, and is even
more beautiful when transplanted than when
growing on its native heath, SO 10 speak.
Stranger with his Eyes Open thinks that the
early settlers, the pioneers, were wiser than
they really knew when they planted these
wide-spreading naples. Figuratively speak
ing, he takes of his hat TO them.
The next thing that naturally came under
the observation of Stranger with his Eyes
Open was the excellent condition of the
streets, so level and smooth, so nicely kept,
bordered OH either side with fine residences
and well sprin1led through the business por-
tons of the village And right in this con-
nection, Stranger with his Eyes Open could
but observe another thing that is not so
commendable, and that is the dilapidated
condition of the sidewalks in many places,
and he could but think it strange that this
unsightly and dangerous condition of things
should be allowed to mar the beauty of the
town. He noticed, however, that in many
places new walks had been recently put
down, which he took to be manifestation of
better things to come and he hopes that
when he again visits Paw Paw he may see
decided improvement III this regard.
Stranger with his Eyes Open was particu-
larry attracted by the well-built, clean, sub
stantial business blocks of the village and the
large and well-assorted stocks of goods car
ried by the various mercantile men of the
place, all of whom seem to be doing a good
trade and to be selling goods at prices that
must inevitably please customers. The two
Paw Paw banks, as Stranger with his Eyes
Open discovered by inquiring, are solid and
| flourishing institutions and sure indication
of the prosperity of the town.
Strolling leisurely up Main street, Stranger
with his Eyes Open was attracted by mag
niicent brick building that stands at the
head of the street in the midst of beautiful
park filled with various kinds of forest trees
and its walks lined with handsome and well
trimmed evergreen hedges. Drawing near
to the building, Stranger with his Eyes Open
was not at all surprised TO find that it was
the Paw Paw public school building, one of
the very finest in Western Michigan, an or
nament to the town and credit to the en-
terprise and intelligence of its thrifty inhabi-
tants. He found on inquiry, just what he
had good reason to anticipate, that the
school was in keeping with the building and,
under the leadership of Prof. L. Nj. Russell,
its able superintendent and his efficient
corps of assistants, is second to no school of
| its kind in Michigan, a state that is famed
throughout the entire country for its educa-
| tional facilities.
Another thing that particularly challenged
| the attention of Stranger with his Eyes Open
was the great number of fine houses of wor-
ship in the place, sure indication that it's
citizens are a moral and God fearing COM
munity. If Stranger with his Eyes Open
had been looking for location, nothing that
he saw would have had a stronger attraction
for him than the churches and the school.
Another thing that particularly attracted
the attention OF Stranger with his Eyes Open
was the abundant water-power with which
nature has blessed the place and the very
little use that is being made of it. No less
than five good rprivileges exist within
a mile of each other none of which are be.
ing utilized to their full capacity and two OF
which are entirely idle, reminding Stranger
with his Eyes Open of the report of gov
eminent inspector who had been sent out to
ascertain the condition of a certain public
work which was being constructed by the
completed long before. His report was brief
and to the point, being couched in the fol
lowing language Il find dam by a mill
site but no mill by a dam-site." Stranger
with his Eyes Open could but believe that at
some time in the near future this power
which nature has provided in such abund-
ance would be improved by the establish
ment of manufactures of various kinds
which would result in the up-building of the
town and in substantial addition to the
wealth, comfort, prosperity and happiness OF
its citizens. Stranger with his Eyes Open
was informed that an effort is being made
by some of the business men of the village
to establish roller process Touring mill, an
institution that is much needed and that
would, no doubt, prove to be the beginning
of an era of manufacturing prosperity TO the
town. The effort to inaugurate such an insti-
tuition ought not to be allowed to fail.
Stranger with his Eyes Open enjoyed him.
self by taking drive about the surrounding
country and found evidences of thrift and
prosperity on every hand. Elegant farm
houses, surrounded with capacious and sub
stantial out-buildings, good school houses,
rich and productive farming lands covered
with growing crops of various kinds, togeth-
er with herds of finely bred domestic animals,
anu QOlltu utTe anu tutIe Will DtdutlIul
little lakes which, he was told, were we'll
stocked with fine fish, formed beautiful
mental picture which he will long remember
and evidenced the prosperity of the sur
rounding community and explained why the
merchants of the town did so thriving bus
mess. And right here Stranger with his
Eyes Open desires to say that among the
first things that attracted his attention were
the newspapers of the town and, when he
saw the liberal manner in which they were
patronized by the business men i'll the way
of advertising their wares, he did not wonder
that they were enabled to drive so thriving a
business and that they could afford to carry
such an immense and varied assortment of
goods.
Before leaving your beautiful little town
Stranger with his Eyes Open rode out on the
marrow gauge" as far as Lake Cora or, as
the older settlers insist that it should be
called, Four Mile Lake and there, much to
his establishment, situated on the banks of q
sheet of water that looks like q sparkling
gem set in border of emerald, just on the
edge of q beautiful grove, he found a mag.
nifcent hotel, the Peninsular House, with all
the modern attachments and conveniences
one of the most lovely summer retreats that
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